Right That We Mistake for Wrong: Why Do We Still Follow "The Crowd"?

Have you ever wondered why some people spend their whole lives pursuing something that seems noble, only to find no peace in the end? It is because they have seen wrongly: mistaking the wrong for the right, and the right for the wrong. In the Dhammapada, the Buddha taught a verse so brief, yet it contains all the traps on the path of practice — and also the way out for anyone who has lost their way.

The Buddha's verse: The first gate of wisdom

The Buddha taught:

"Mistaking the wrong for the right, and the right for the wrong. Dwelling in wrong view, one stands outside the path to enlightenment."

In contrast, right view means knowing clearly:

"Knowing the right as right, and the wrong as wrong. Dwelling in right view, the path to enlightenment is not long."

Thầy Thích Chân Quang explained: "This verse is very short, but if we constantly live in that kind of confusion, our practice will not progress at all." This is a wake-up call for all of us — those of us striving on the path back to truth.

The story of two outstanding disciples: Sariputta and Moggallana

Behind this verse lies a long journey. Sariputta and Moggallana were two close friends, wealthy and virtuous, yet weary of life, who set out in search of truth. They followed a famous teacher named Sanjaya, but after some time, they realized this teacher truly had nothing more to teach them. They asked his permission to travel, seeking the path everywhere, yet still felt unfulfilled.

One day, Sariputta met the Venerable Assaji, an Arahant of the Buddha. With just two lines of verse: "All phenomena arise from conditions (dependent origination). My teacher, the Great Ascetic Gotama, has taught this." — Sariputta was instantly awakened and attained the fruit of Stream-Entry. When he told Moggallana, he too was awakened on the spot. And both decided to go see the Buddha.

The Buddha saw them from afar, suddenly paused his teaching, and said: "There go Sariputta and Moggallana. What a perfectly blessed pair of friends." Later, the Buddha raised them to be his chief disciples, leading the entire Sangha — a decision that surprised many, but the Buddha clearly explained their karmic connections across many lifetimes.

Sanjaya: When a teacher only seeks the crowd

Before following the Buddha, the two went to inform their old teacher Sanjaya, inviting him to come and study the path as well. Sanjaya asked: "In this world, are there more people with wisdom, or more fools?" They replied: "There are more fools." Sanjaya said:

"Then let those with wisdom go to Gotama to practice, while the fools come here to me, so my numbers will grow. I will claim the majority."

Thầy Chân Quang pointed out: "Clearly, that teacher was not seeking truth, but only seeking fame. He taught the path, yet his heart had no longing for truth whatsoever." The phrase "there are more fools" is heartbreaking to hear, because how many times have we chosen to follow the crowd, following whatever is loudly praised, while forgetting what is truly right?

After Sariputta and Moggallana left, all of Sanjaya's disciples abandoned him as well. He was so consumed with resentment that he vomited blood and died. That is the price of clinging to wrong view and empty ambition.

Common wrong views in daily life

Thầy Chân Quang said: "There are things we believe to be merit, but surprisingly, they are not. The gods do not consider them merit — we have simply been brainwashed." In ancient times, the fire-worshipping religion believed that fire connected humans with the divine. Offering fragrant oil into the fire, the flames would rise, carrying wishes up to heaven. People bowed to fire, believing it to bring immense blessings from merit. But what is the truth? It is superstition, a deviation that neglects the doing of good deeds — such as loving our fellow human beings, helping others, and practicing meditative concentration to purify the soul.

Today, that trap still exists. We can devote our entire lives to something society glorifies — with wealth, fame, and the applause of the crowd — yet our hearts remain empty. We think we are right, when in fact we are standing outside the path to enlightenment.

Returning to right view: The shortest path to enlightenment

The greatest lesson from this verse is honesty with ourselves. Let us look into our own mind/heart and ask: "Does what I believe truly align with the true Dharma?" Do not rush to follow anyone, do not rush to chase the crowd. Learn to understand the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), so we know what is right and what is wrong. When our mind/heart rests in right view, the road ahead suddenly becomes near and clear.

Thầy Thích Chân Quang emphasized: "Wrong is wrong — yet if we keep holding on to it, we truly fall into degradation." But if we know how to change, how to turn back and face the truth directly, then nothing is difficult. In this very moment, let us pause for a breath and ask ourselves: "Is what I am doing truly the path that leads to liberation?"

May you find peace in right view. Homage to our Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.